On 17 & 18 December 2015, the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) and Energy Conservation Center Japan (ECCJ) jointly organised the 2015 ASEAN-JAPAN Energy Efficiency (EE) and Conservation Symposium on Standard and Labeling (S&L) Policy.  Hosted by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) of Myanmar in Yangon, the Symposium provided a platform for policy makers, suppliers, academics and manufactures from ASEAN Member States (AMS) and Japan to discuss, exchange ideas and experiences in regards to EE S&L policy.  The Symposium is one of the activities under ASEAN-Japan Energy Efficiency Market Transformation with Information Provision Scheme (AJ-EMTIPS), part of the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Energy – Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (SOME-METI) Work Programme 2015-2016.

The Symposium also promoted and emphasized the importance of EE S&L system in ASEAN.  The system will in turn set the procedures and numbers that define the energy performance of manufactured products, as well as provide appropriate information to the market.  In short, the EE S&L is an important initiative that offers numerous potential benefits, including reducing electricity demand, supporting energy security for sustainable economic development, and raising consumers’ awareness on energy and environment in ASEAN.

The outcomes and recommendations of the Symposium are as follows:

1. Introduction of AJ-EMTIPS Programme 2015-2016: Market Transformation & Harmonisation.
2. Knowledge sharing on best practices from Japan, Malaysia and Thailand on the establishment of EE S&L.
3. Knowledge sharing by the private sector, among others from Daikin Industries and Panasonic.
4. Recommendations: i) to set the Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) in accordance with the standard value considered in the ASEAN Regional Road Map for (air conditioner) AC products; ii) to refer to The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 5151 testing methodology; iii) to build a good relationship with all stakeholders through information sharing and exchange of ideas; and iv) to start with the data collection for AC products.
5. Noted recommendation for the institutional framework suggested by MOIT as the key ministry to develop the EE S&L in Myanmar, as well as to collaborate with Ministry of Science and Technology on the EE standard value development, and with custom department for the enforcement.

Photo credit:  Ministry of Industry and Trade, Myanmar